Arsenal is confident that despite interest from Real Madrid, they will make their first major summer signature to real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, a source told ESPN.
Reports in Spain suggested that Madrid had slowed at the age of 26, but Liverpool is also recognized as interested.
However, sources told ESPN that Arsenal is at a high level of negotiations to seal the Zubimendi deal, which has a release clause of 60 million euros ($68 million) in the Sociedad deal.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is an avid admirer of players, but new sports director Andrea Berta agrees to bolster the midfield that Zubimendi can set up for a re-shuffle this summer.
Arteta revealed last Friday that Arsenal is keen to extend Thomas Party’s deal, but it remains to be seen whether an agreement will be reached.
Partey’s deal expires at the end of the season, and one source suggests that pay cuts must be taken in every transaction to stay with the club.
Martin Zubimendi was able to bolster Arsenal’s midfield this summer. Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Italian international Giorguinho also finished his contract in the summer and faces competition with time to play again this season after suffering a rib injury earlier this month.
Editor’s Pick
2 Related
The 33-year-old is deeply tied to the move to Brazil after his representative met both Palmeiras and Flamengo during the January transfer period.
Flamengo is the current front runner of his signature, but extending his stay at Arsenal has not been ruled out entirely.
Anyway, Zvimendi’s arrival is widely expected at Emirates Stadium, and his signature is considered to be something of a coup, given Liverpool’s coordinated efforts to sign players last summer.
Sources told ESPN that if Xabi Alonso replaces Carlo Ancelotti as head coach of Santiago Bernabéu, real interest would increase. However, uncertainty remains in Ancelotti’s future amid speculation that he may not be in charge of the Real Club World Cup campaign that will begin in June.
Arsenal is targeting multiple additions that will move forward widely this summer in the strikers and positions they want to strengthen. The gunners have available funds, but like many clubs, they will be open to allowing certain players to leave to enhance their expenditure.
Kieran Tierney will take part in a free transfer to Celtic this summer, while Olexandr Zinchenko has been allowed to leave if a proper offer arises.
